Two cases of Hep A confirmed in children in Cumbernauld
It follows a cluster of cases confirmed in the area last month
Two cases of hepatitis A have been confirmed in children in the Cumbernauld area after a number of cases were found last month, NHS public health officials have said.
One of the children attends a school in the area, and the other child attends a local nursery, NHS Lanarkshire said.
Cases of the contagious liver disease were found in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, in August.
NHS Lanarkshire's public health team said it is "investigating a small number of confirmed cases" and is offering vaccinations to help stem the spread.
Hepatitis A can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months, and is usually spread by poor hand hygiene, especially in children.
It can also be spread via contaminated food, and can be asymptomatic.
Staff and pupils at the school and nursery are being supported by NHS workers, with a recommendation that they get vaccinated.
Dr Alison Smith-Palmer, consultant in public health, said: "As a precautionary measure, we are offering the vaccine to not only the children and staff who attend or work at the school or nursery, but also their close family members.
"Good hand hygiene is important in reducing the risk of spread of the virus.
"We are working with the school and the nursery and we are in regular contact with the cases and their families.
"To protect patient confidentiality, we will not be providing any further information about the school, nursery or any of the cases.
"We are strongly recommending that the staff and children who attend the school and nursery and their close family members, those who live in the same household, receive the hepatitis A vaccine."
Symptoms of acute hepatitis A include loss of appetite, fever, nausea and diarrhoea, jaundice, and a flu-like illness.
There is no cure for hepatitis A which will usually get better its own within a couple of months, according to the NHS Inform website.
However, it can occasionally last for many months and, in rare cases, it can be life-threatening if it causes liver failure.
Anyone with concerns regarding hepatitis A is advised to contact their local Health Protection Team on 01698 752952.